The national budget isn’t the only thing that’s strained in DC, Ryan Zimmerman is headed to the DL with an ab strain. This was an injury that originally happened in Spring Training and now it looks like the ab has taken out a *pinkie to mouth* restraining order. Zimmerman always seemed like such a good boy, who knew he had a bad side? For those baby boomers in the audience, Robert Zimmerman is Dylan and Ryan Zimmerman is illin’. For those housewives reading on, Ryan’s owners whine of choice is Zimm-for-DL. Yeah, that pun is a worse strain than his. So now that this strain has resurfaced, it makes me think the Nats are going to let it heal for a lot longer than 15 days to make sure there’s no more relapses. Worse, if they don’t play it safe and rush him back in two weeks, he could reinjure himself and be out for another few weeks. (Something that could, unfortunately, happen anyway.) All in all, it’s a good day to not own Zimmerman. Anyway, here’s what else I saw yesterday in fantasy baseball:

Alexi Ogando – 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 baserunners, 4 Ks. A…O…A’ight! BTW, do you know Tony Danza’s blood type? It’s AO. Watch out, Catskills, here comes Grey! Another great start for the converted outfielder. It’s been a while since the Rangers let an outfielder take the mound (see Jose Canseco) but it’s paid off big. Looks like Tommy Hunter has been Pipp’d! Ogando did leave in the 8th with a recurring blister. It’s something to watch. Not literally, unless you’re in the same room as him.

Justin Verlander – 9 IP, 2 ER, 7 baserunners, 4 Ks. Rudy’s Cy Young pick held down the dangerous Texas offense. If the Tigers could’ve scored a few runs and Verlander had more than 4 Ks, it would’ve warranted more exclamatory punctuation.

Andrew Bailey – A’s said he should be back in a few weeks. So his ETA for getting hurt again is approximately a few weeks and a day.

Rajai Davis – To the 15-day DL with an ankle injury. You never hear about cankle injuries. You goofed, God, cankles are more durable.

Sam Fuld – 4-for-6 with two doubles, a triple and a homer to complete The Hungry Man cycle. The 30-year-old AAAA Cub OF has become a Bear since he moved to Tampa. He’s now stolen 5 SBs on the year and hit his first bomb today. Don’t drop anyone too valuable for him, but you’ve got to ride his hot streak.

Chris Heisey – 1-for-4 with his 1st homer as he hit leadoff. Dusty thinks Oh-Bee-Pee is that movie theater candy that stick in your teeth, but I still wouldn’t be surprised if Stubbs sits a lot more if he doesn’t start hitting.

Jonny Gomes – Now has a homer in back-to-back games. Not quite as hot as Jennifer Connelly going back-to-back in Requiem for a Dream, but not bad.

Jonathan Herrera – 2-for-4, now 7 for his last 10 with steals in back-to-back games. Shouldn’t last but in deep enough leagues, I’d definitely take a look. (Note: As I wrote that, WordPress told me, “You do not have permission to do that.” Take that as you want.)

Seth Smith – 3-for-4 with a steal. Right now, The Lisper’s Nightmare is playing every day vs. righties and hitting .367.

Mike Pelfrey – 5 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 10 baserunners, 3 Ks. Probably the last time I’m going to repeat myself on this topic so head’s up to those of youse who weren’t paying attention for the last three months. Ixnay on the Elfreypay.

Mark Buehrle – 8 IP, 0 ER, 3 baserunners, 1 K. Isn’t it funny — which naturally means this is completely unfunny — how Buehrle throws a perfect game or near-perfect game a few times a year then is totally mediocre the rest of the year?

Matt Thornton – 1/3 IP with the blown save, but the tying run was unearned, so there’s the junebug on the duck’s back or some other yokelism. BTW, Juan Pierre has blown the last two Thornton blown saves. He’s like the anti-DeWayne Wise.

Mitch Talbot – 8 IP, 0 ER, 7 baserunners, 4 Ks. Talbot has a 1.46 ERA on the year, Indians are 8-2 and a pig just flew by my window. And the pig was wearing a lovely Hawaiian muumuu from Talbot’s.

Tyler Chatwood – 5 IP, 4 ER, 8 baserunners, 3 Ks. Did they promote him from an Indiana high school? (Hey, Hoosiers fans!) He’s super young/raw/adjective and his last name sounds like a website you don’t want your significant other finding in your browser history. I wouldn’t touch Chatwood at all this year in non-keepers, until he strings together a few weeks of quality starts.

Starlin Castro – 3-for-5, a steal and hitting .364. He’s no As…DRUBAL! But he’s doing his thang. Or is it thing?

Madison Bumgarner – 5 IP, 5 ER, 12 baserunners, 3 Ks. It’s time to worry that the extra innings last year are emphasizing the first syllable of his last name.

Chone Figgins – It’s one thing when someone like Ryan Howard doesn’t hit their weight, but when it’s someone like Figgins it’s another thing. Figgins left Monday night’s game early with a thumb bruise – early word is that it’s day-to-day but he probably warrants a stint on the Disgraceful List.

Matt Kemp – 1-for-2, 1 RBI and his 7th steal while batting .441! New coach Davey Lopes is like the SB whisperer. BTW, a friend went to Kemp’s party after the Dodgers opening night win at a club here in LA. Two hours after the win, Kemp was standing on the bar with two champagne bottles flipped over, pouring into his mouth like he was a fountain. I like it! He’s playing loose!

Rafael Furcal – Broken thumb and he’s contemplating retirement. Sounds like his dream of being a movie reviewer isn’t going to happen either.

Jon Rauch – Yesterday, Shawn Camp got to blow the game for the Jays. Okay, not sure where Rauch was. A pickup game with Mets pitcher, Chris Young? Saving a kitten from the top of a skyscraper? Picking coconuts?

Mat Latos – 6 IP, 3 ER, 6 baserunners, 7 Ks. Actually, he didn’t look that bad, but I still wouldn’t buy into him because of the excess innings from last year. Also, I find it weird how I loved him last year and this year I watched him for about two innings and thought he was such a douche. “Ooh, I’m Mat Latos and I’m yelling for Gomes to run faster on a home run.” Perhaps if you stop giving them up, it won’t be a problem. How’s dem apples? Sour?

Orlando Hudson – 2-for-4, 2 steals. He stole 4 bases in April of 2009 and only stole 4 more the rest of the year. Yup.

Corey Patterson – 2-for-5 with a homer as he filled in for Rajai. Looking for a guy that can give you an 0-for-35? Look no further! For a limited time only, Patterson might be a worthwhile fantasy add.

Milton Bradley – 2-for-4 with his first homer. He’s still batting third and batty, in general.

Lance Berkman – 2-for-5, 3 RBIs and 2 homers. Welcome to the Cardinals, Guy Who Looks Like He Could Be the Host of Man vs. Food’s Father.

Kyle McClellan – 6 IP, 1 ER, 11 baserunners, 4 Ks. For my next trick, I will resurrect Steve Howe’s corpse and turn him into a Hall of Famer. That’s what Dave Duncan said after yesterday’s game.

‘morning, Grey. I enjoyed the waiver post from yesterday – these one-off general advice posts you do occasionally are always helpful. Have you ever done one on the factors you take into consideration in setting a daily lineup? Do you look at who is hot? Who is playing in a friendly (or unfriendly) park? A player’s history against the opposing pitcher or team? Lefties vs. righties? Anyway, if there are any open column dates that might be worth posting.

Now for a more traditional question: Who is worth more of a short-term flyer between Fuld, Herrera, and Patterson? This is in a 20-team roto league where SB, followed by AVE, are weak points.

Grey, how worried are you about Travis Snider after his 5-34 start? He hasn’t really hurt my team that much, because he did get a HR and 2 SB’s, but I’m in a hole to start this week. Would you should start Ben Francisco over him, or do you think Snider is still a good start?

Volquez- I love how he walks the bases loaded, then hits a batter to send in a run…. come on dude! you’re killing me! I will take the QS win tho… why does it take this guy an inning of shalacking every outting to get settled in!

@Grey: I am torn with indecisiveness…help. I am carrying Thornton and Sale (as well as Broxton, Sean Burnett and Jon Rauch…as well as Frank Frank on the DL).
I want to pick up Narveson. Do I drop Ryan Dempster or Sale to pick him up.
Josh Johnson, J. Sanchez, Marcum, D. Hudson and I. Kennedy are my other 5 starters, btw.

Grey, I’ve completely bought into Tabata, but the asking price from the owner is ridiculous (he’s asking for Ubaldo as part of a 2 for 2 trade). Do you think Abreu and his hot start will have similar numbers to Tabata – aka ~.300 AVG and 30+ SB?

Did you see the Sox Rays game? The strike zone was about 8 inches wide a 4 inches high. I’m surprised there weren’t more walks in the game. Hellickson didn’t look to bad just no where to throw the ball and get a strike call.

A lot of ‘perts who will remain nameless have been voicing concerns about Gallardo’s K rate so far this year. I, for one, am just happy that he’s making it out of the 5th in fewer than 120 pitches. Time to test the waters or just a blip on the radar? I’m all in on YoGa this year.

The ass-to-ass scene in Requiem for a Dream didn’t really do it for me (not that I could look away or anything). Now Mila Kunis going down on Natalie Portman? Yes please. Smart man that Darren Aronofsky.

Need a middle infielder to replace the crappy/kinda injured Bartlett. Tejada, Theriot, Alex Gonzalez, O-Dawg and about a dozen other awful schmo’s are out there. Tejada is the pick right? Is Angel Sanchez (Houston) work owning during his hot streak?

Grey, admit it, you are Latos-intolerant. I kind of wanna keep him on my DL as I dunno who to drop right now. I feel like punting Bedard since M’s are terrible even if he stays healthy enough for 160 innings, but I also wanna give him a couple more starts.

Since my entire offense has 6 homers… (none from Stanton, Bruce, or Hill, my supposed power bats) pitching’s not the reason my team’s near the bottom of the dog pile.

I would also like to bitch at Mr. Zobrist for throwing some shizz back in my face. After his inept start to the season, I dropped him for Beckham. Beckham’s first start for me had him going 0-4, while Zobrist hung out in waiver land going 3-5, 2R, 2RBI. Thanks, dick.

Leave Fuld on FA. Cheapest HR in baseball around the Pesky Pole (and only cuz that fan reeled it in) and he was taking BP off Dice-K for most of the game. Kid shoulda stopped at first on his last hit cuz he’ll NEVER get the chance for the Cycle again…

What’s your read on the Raburn/Boesch situation? Think they basically continue to split ABs in the LF spot? I’m starting to think Raburn is a waste of a roster spot if he’s not playing full time. Would you drop Raburn for an ailing Torres or Maybin or give him time to win the full-time job?

Wow what is Ron Washington doing. Napoli and Kinsler both sitting today. According to ESPN, they are a combined 6/13 with 5 HRs off Penny. I know people need a day off every now and then, but WHY today?

I have no idea why people are freaking out about Stubbs. If he had hit 4 more hits (to his total) his AVG would raise from .236 to .342. People need to settle into their teams and give it some time. Until then, I’ll be the fantasy Gordon Gekko trying to acquire Pujols for pennies on the dollar.

I need a replacement for Zimmerman. My best options are: J. Lopez, C. Johnson, Betemit, Peralta, Freese, D. Johnson, Encarnacion, Headley.
I’m leaning toward Betemit. He was solid last year and so far, so ood this year.

@Wilsonian: @Grey: I also LOVE how rotoinfo categorizes Napoli sitting today as “(Rest)”. He must be tired after two consecutive days of pla….o wait…he hasn’t played since Saturday.

How bad of an idea is it to pick up a second catcher in a 1-catcher league? Could get 30+ homeruns from the catcher spot. Of course this is only if i can make roster space. Stop me now Grey before I do it.

So dood offers me Edge (Werth) for Marcum and Co Co Cordero. That would leave me with a ‘pen of Brox, Chapman, Bal(l)four, Madson and Bastardo (best name ever). Obviously I ain’t getting many saves with only Brox with a regular 9th inning gig.

Would you do Edge for Marcum and Co Co? I’m going to respond by offering Marcum and Chapman. To be honest, I’m not high on Edge in D.C. and I like NL Marcum even though his arm could fall off any time. Of course Co Co is a bleh 30 saves – which are hard to come by in 14 team. Watch me trade him Chapman and the kid get the job next week…

Losing Marcum would leave me with a rotation of Weaver, Hudson, Lewis, Big Z and Beachy. Probably pick up Esmil, Correia or Talbot with the empty slot.

@Pooch: funny thing is, I was just looking at the available catchers to see if I could squeeze one in. Nap sitting isn’t as big of a deal in Roto, but in H2H, it’s a real pain when you’re constantly losing out on precious ABs and you could at least have a live body that might get you at least one hit (which is better than nothing).

I need to replace Zimmerman at 3B. My best options are: J. Lopez, C. Johnson, Betemit, Peralta, Freese, D. Johnson, Encarnacion, Headley.
I’m leaning toward Betemit. He was solid last year and so far, so good this year. Thoughts?

@Shea Sera Sera: I have him benched in my 12 team mixed league. Too early to drop and no one will give any sort of value in a trade. You don’t want him to figure his stuff out on someone else’s team, do you?

@Johnny Drama: Sandoval for Chacin, whoever values the Rockies pitcher that highly is deeply troubled. As regards Napoli’s playing time, it’s no surprise. I agree it may not make great sense but he was NEVER going to see 500-600 at bats and never has so I’d just be happy that when he plays he’s playing well. Always look on the bright side of life….

@ujoh: Not looking to drop him…just wondering about starting him…my feel is to throw all the guys early so they can work off hideous starts…worked for Edison and Fausto, but I saw them pitch and felt they had he stuff but were unlucky.

Not seeing Hughes (and missing tomorrows start) I am hearing he just sucks so far so I am leaning towards benching him….

Grey, I’ve got Rollins and Andrus on my roster right now. Asrubal is available. I’m considering picking him up and dropping SeanRod. I already have a backup OF (Tabata), and a backup 3B (Alvarez) on my bench. The obvious problem is how I come up with playing time for him, but even if I don’t maybe he becomes a valuable trade asset. Y/N?

@Steve Stevenson: why not DL furcal and pick up assdribble without dropping anyone? you might have to wait til tomorrow to do it, but it’s not like 1 day is gonna kill you, and i don’t think there are any SSs on the wire that are in high demand.

@Grey. This week I am starting Sean Rodriguez at 3B because of Longoria’s inconvenient DL trip and Jeff Baker at MI (since I had to move Rodriguez to 3B). Is Luke Hughes worth picking up since word is that he will get the majority of starts at 2B until Nishi comes back? I would drop either Baker or Rodriguez.

@Shea Sera Sera: Ah, gotcha. He’s lost some significant velocity on his fastball. Down around 5-7 miles per hour and batters are eating it up. I wouldn’t start him until he has at least one good start and I’m a Yankees fan. Maybe if he plays in Pet/Metco or a team like Houston – but clearly, that’s not happening.

Best option for a trade is to find an owner in your league that has good starting pitchers but play on weak teams (think F-Her). Convince them that Hughes will get at least 15 wins (which I think he still can very easily). They’ll be your best shot for value – but otherwise sitting him is your only option.

@Shea Sera Sera: Thanks for weighing in. It’s refreshing to have someone take the time to respond cause the vast majority of us (I’m guilty at times) just ask questions without contributing much ourselves. I’m stepping off the soap box now.

@RonWashington’sStache: I’d go with Narveson, but Ogando is close behind.
@MeanMachine: I’d stick with Figgy, but that’s more an indictment on the guys you mentioned than any kind of praise for him.
@Kazmere: Stick with Jorge.

@3FingersBrown: i agree about chippa, i snagged him in our RCL early on, im suprised he was ever there, greys hate got pushed on us all, i’ll ride the glass one out til he gets hurt, then i can DL him or drop him for the next flash in the pan, he’s always roster worthy when healthy….

2 QQs (quick questions, obviously): Have a UTIL spot I use just for a speed guy. Can put Sam Fuld in there now, or pick up Rajai Davis (who wont stay available past tonight) and stash him in that spot until he’s healthy.

Who should I drop? I automatically thought to drop Peralta, but if I get lucky and both Motte and Peralta end up with closer gigs I’d have some serious trade bait in a league like this. What about dropping Coke?

@Grey: I think he’ll come close to 20 HR if he stays in the lineup long enough to get 550 PA. Obviously that if is bigger than Billy Butler’s ass but I think he’s in a better position to drive in runs hitting in the middle of the Atlanta lineup.

@Mike D – see Grey’s post about Cecil touching your naughty parts and burning you. I tried him the other day and he crapped on my ERA and WHIP. I watched him pitch and he does not have the stuff to fool batters. He nibbles on the corner with his curve and then leaves stuff up in the zone and gets crushed.

Ron Washington is the reason I did not draft Nelson Cruz this year. I swear he hates him on a personal level. He always bats him 6th. I mean WTF? I get the lefty/righty/lefty thing, but really M. Young in front of Nelly everyday and even worse is Beltre gets the nod for cleanup over my boy. Pish, puh-lease. I quit me some Ron Washington last year when he kept batting Nelly behind Daniel Murphy everyday.

My pitching staff looks pretty dire at the moment, and I’m looking to grab some FA fliers (or flyers). Here are some pitchers of interest: Narveson, Masterson, Guthrie, Holland, Rogers, Young, Floyd, Baker, Vazquez, McDonald, Davis, and A. Sanchez. Who are the top four SP’s from this group (please rank) going forward? Thanks!

Question about my lineup in my 16 Team H2H. I’m really liking my team, but with the Hamilton injury, it’s forcing me to put a struggling Snider into my everyday OF position (assuming Hamilton is out for awhile). I don’t want to drop Snider right now, but I could use a hotter bat in the lineup. I also have Kimbrel, Hanrahan, Burnett, Walden, and League at RP and can only play 4 of the 5 at any given time. My question is:

Would I be better suited to drop someone like League for one of these bats, or should I drop Snider and hang on to the arms?

@Grey: It’s Marcum and Co Co for Edge or nothing at all it seems. My OF sucks so hard that I feel Ive got to do it, even if it’ll leave me with only Broxton and a bunch of setup guys.

You’d say under 500 Chipper PA’s? I don’t know Grey. I have nothing to base it on, simply the ol’ eyeballs and ears but I’ve watched Larry for many years, in the way one watches his most cursed enemy and I feel like he’s going to go out strong. I hope I’m wrong. I’d like nothing more than to see him embarrass himself. Bastard. Naming his child Shea… (spits)

yay … there’s a 50 year old blonde getting her drunk on , and sitting in the 1st row @ fenway , right behind homeplate .
could be something to watch , if the score gets out of hand .
the guy to her immediate right seems annoyed already .

I’ve never used the $$ waiver system before, so I’m a bit lost, but in a 15 team 5×5 roto league that has $100 budget, someone just dropped Jay Bruce – not quite the Prince Fielder scenario you laid out the other day, but damn it feels close. We start 5 OF/1Util.

I@John:
I’d spend about 50 on him. You’ll realize it’s better to spend your money early than have a lot left during the last 2 months, when guys are only going for 2 or 3 because people don’t have money or half the teams are out of it already.

I was offered Dempster for Kimbrel, and countered with Kimbrel for Daniel Hudson. Now he countered with Travis Wood for Kimbrel. Is it just me, or has this negotiation process gone awry? I know Wood has been pretty good so far, FIP-wise at least, but Kimbrel should land me a top 40 starter, right?

@Grey, well I hope Sam Fuld can do more than hunting wascally wabbitts!
On a more serious note: 12 team roto, need for speed. I have J Upside, Krispie, Werth, Bruce, Murphy and Cargo Lite. Is it werth dealing one of those guys for Gardiner or Ellesbury?

Grey, looking at your top 300 for 2011, and Wells is at #112 with a projection of 60/21/70/.280/5, while Markakis as at #142 with a line of 85/17/80/.305/10. Looks like Markakis would be the better pick, yet he’s 30 spots behind Wells.

Pick up Markakis for now, stay put, or take Murphy and see what’s going on in 6-8 weeks?

need a hamilton replacement. bruce was dropped, so i put in a waiver claim. if i don’t get him, should i go after berkman, david murphy, fuld, gomes, derek lee, byrd, or willingham assuming bruce is the top pick out of this group?